Tuesday, 10 May 2011

Hi there, Yesterday I came upon Coco rose' s blog and her recent post on hearts and roses....I ve been looking for a rose tutorial for ages the one I had only produced a very small rose. Vanessa very kindly helped me out and showed me where to go and this morning I made a scrummy large rose and I'm so happy:)!
I wanted to make these for my crochet hangers and to make a little broach for my bag and I am so glad I did!
It took me about 1 hour but soooo worth it!!

Wednesday, 4 May 2011

Hi there, I thought I 'd show you what I am cooking today. Cotoletti ,or Chicken in breadcrumbs.
I'm married to an Italian man so have some great recipies carried down from my husbands side and thought Id share some with you over the next few weeks....
Italians are very thrifty cooks and can make very economical and nutritious meals for very little money.
Firstly, I keep any bread thats left over to make into breadcrumbs, basically I dry the stale bread out in my top oven for about a week ,the top oven becomes hot when I cook in the bottom oven.

When its become hard and crispy I store in an air tight container until I need to use it.

You can make the breadcrumbs with a food processor or I use my old fashioned grater on the small hole side.

I bought a pack of 4 chicken breasts and cut each breast into around 3 or 4 pieces per breast.

After a wash bash the pieces with a mallet or rolling pin ,I put them into a plastic bag .

After bashing they become longer and thinner.....

Dip into a beaten egg and then the breadcrumbs then shallow fry for around 10 minutues ,on a medium heat ,turning half way,until golden and crispy.Four breasts made all this.

We serve with an Italian leaf salad,tomatoes and a wedge of lemon. Hope you enjoy if you decide to make some!xx

Monday, 2 May 2011

From as far back as I can remember I ve loved anything to do with fairies,pixies and Toadstools. I think it all started when visiting my cousin Becky at her house she had a cute little toadstool moneybox with a key,I think we were about 5 or 6, Oh, how I wanted one of those!!

I never did until much later and now I have toadstools and fairies all over my garden!

I even have them in the house!!

And I love fairies, I love how magical they are..........

For Christmas ,my daughter bought me toadstool chocolates and made me a toadstool decoration for the tree ,the chocolates are yummy, but look to good to eat so I may just keep them in my toadstool jar!!

Have a lovely day!juliexx

P.s. Just found the picture of the toadstool package I had from my daughter at christmas....

Sunday, 1 May 2011

Isn't it wonderful when you come across a blog that you just cant stop reading.When I came across Lucy s blog (Attic 24) I literally lost hours.http://attic24.typepad.com/
As you read back and back through the archives its like reading a really good book ,one that you cant put down!

I only came across Blogs last year ,when reading my favourite magazine Country homes & Interiors.It featured a lady called Helen of Busy Bee studios .In the homes & interiors section ,Lavender Cottage.http://busybeestudio.typepad.com/my_weblog/.

OOh how I love drooling over other peoples homes and my favourite type being Cottages. I actually live in a 15 year old house,but my decorating inside is more cottage chic,plenty of granny blankets,painted furniture,etc. But one day I 'd love to own my very own country cottage.

I love Lucy s blog also because she has the most fantastic crochet patterns that she shares for free and she has a wonderful way with words when writing,Check it out if you havent already.

Today is the last day of the Easter holidays so we are making the most of it by going out to eat today,which is great because I actually get a day off cooking!! I like cooking ,but find it diffucult sometimes to think of different meals to have,especially with fussy teenage children,one doesnt like this and one doesnt like that,I 'm lucky though hubby eats anything I put in front of him!!

Thursday, 28 April 2011

Hi there, yesterday I decided to have a look in my local charity shop,I try to pop in weekly as they are very kindly keeping any wooden coat hangers they get in , for me. I was in luck , they had four and they only cost 20p each and are much better than the plastic ones for making crochet coat hangers.

I made some for my mum for mothers day and she loved them!

I also got a bag of lovely old wool,some still had there labels on :0) I love anything old, it takes me back to the good old days!!

All this for £2.00!!

The simple things in life, a good bargain and a bit of crocheting,I ll let you know what I come up with ,with the wool.

Saturday, 23 April 2011

Back at the begining of the year I watched the series life in a cottage garden with Carol Klein.Her attitutude to gardening is infectious and I was thouroughly inspired.

For the first time this year I bought a couple of packets of seeds.Lupin,Dahlia,Foxglove and Sunflowers. I thought I d give it a go. My mum gave me her old small greenhouse that she wasnt using and I got started.

And look whats happened for the first time in my life I ve actually grown something,now lets just hope they get some flowers some where along the line!

It will be a lot cheaper than buying plants from garden centres .

Its the little things in life that are exciting me at the moment.Has anyone out there been planting seeds this year?
I loved one of the thrifty tips on Nana Go-go s site yesterday, keeping lolly pop sticks to use as markers and keeping yougart pots and tubs to use as planters,I d already been doing this ,but kept hubby s lolly stick last night.Brilliant!

Thursday, 21 April 2011

Every year since we have lived in this house ,which isnt far from a huge lake and park, we have a pair of ducks visit our garden,the kids named them Daffy and Daisy years ago. Last year was the first year they didnt come as we relocated the pond and had a conservatory built , so there was a lot going on.

I was so happy today as Daffy s back! Usually Daisy follows, I ll keep you posted!!

The ponds not looking so great we need to get some new plants established, Daffy doesnt seem to mind,though.
bye for now,have a great day!! .xx

Wednesday, 20 April 2011

I thought i d share with you the project i have just finishes working on, a colourful crochet blanket for my dad, with some heart shaped gift tags,crocheted of course!!have a great day,sun is shining here,hope it is were you are?xxx

Hi ,to anyone out there that finds me! my name is julie and I live in south wales I have two children and have been married for the past 20 years. My interest s are in my home ,making it pretty and homely. I love the shabby chic look. I started crochet last year and am addicted!